In this part, we examine the sixth movement: the split step. Before you execute this movement, you have recovered your racquet position to neutral, recovered your balance, and transitioned to the observation stage. The split step prepares you for the orientation stage in the most efficient manner. The step usually involves a short upward lifting of your weight (such as a hop) so that your feet can be quickly oriented to the direction of the oncoming ball. The key to the split step is that you determine the direction of the ball while you are still in the air so that you can orient your feet as they come down.

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The challenge of the split step (where orientation is determined and completed) is to time it for maximum efficiency in transitioning to the adjustment stage. If you execute it just after your opponent has struck the ball, you must still return to the ground before you adjust to the ball. This doubles the time allocated for orientation and can result in a costly delay in reacting to the ball direction.